Here’s a triple shot

Series: DC Comics – Green Lantern

I’m not going to dive too deeply into this as I’ve already explained the greatness of Geoff Johns previous; however, this is his seminal work in the comic industry. I’m sure he’ll have other great projects but GL will always be the one that people refer back to when they wish to recall his name in conversation.

Johns is a revisionist, so for those die-hards out there, you better be willing to accept change. Fortunately for everyone it is good change. There were obvious weak, or under explored, points in the Green Lantern mythos that Johns so brilliantly fills the gap on. This title isn’t only worth picking up on a monthly basis, it’s worth building a time machine to go back and start collecting from the first – or you could also buy the TPB’s…

Series: DC Comics – Green Lantern Corps

If you haven’t figured it out yet I am a GL follower and I take my GL mythos seriously. I was kind’ve scared when they announced this title a couple years ago, only because there are 1092831902831 ways to mess it up and 1 way to get it right. Fortunately, writer Tomasi understood that what GL needed was the perfect balance of military sci-fi drama.

Though it would seem, as of late, Tomasi’s job is being done for him with the all encompassing Blackest Night story thread invading the DCU at the moment, I feel the opposite is true. Because of Tomasi’s incredible storytelling the Blackest Night is getting a healthy dose of the awesome from him.  Not the other way around. He’s taken a clever GL ensemble from the varied DCU and stuck them together perfectly; his stories are cleverly interwoven and show great character interaction set in a fantastically under-explored universe. I couldn’t think of a better team than Johns and Tomasi leading the charge on the Green Lantern front.

Series: Marvel Comics – Thor

If you asked me last year if I’d ever like a Thor run I would have laughed openly into your face and there would have been spittle involved. Disgusting I know. However, I’ve been proven wrong simply because Marvel finally decided to put a good writer on board with Thor for once, J. Michael Straczynski.

For some of you that name already rings a bell, so hopefully those of you among the sci-fi community won’t shoot me because I didn’t know this name prior to reading his works on Thor… but apparently he was the think-tank behind Babylon 5, which according to some was the awesome. I cannot quantify that statement; however, I’m more inclined to believe that now that I’ve finished his complete run on Thor. This was a fantastic read from start to finish and should not be overlooked. Unfortunately, for you dear reader his run on Thor is over so I would just keep your eyes peeled for the trade paper backs. I myself am weary of following this book further without the JMS stamp.

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DC and the Holiday Spirits?

DC had some interesting tidbits leak recently (drunken staff party around a pc). One of the most curious being the return of Bruce Wayne. As you may have already known, Bruce Wayne (spoiler), the first and true Batman, was killed recently in Final Crisis. Dick Grayson, of former Robin, then Nightwing fame, took his place as the Batman, which created an arch of the story that I actually enjoyed. I’m not sure I care for this idea of bringing Bruce Wayne back… at least so close to his death. But bringing heroes back isn’t exactly above DC or Marvel, they are as see through as a _______ dollar _______ ; however, I personally would’ve enjoyed the experience if they lingered on this idea/story arch longer.

Verdict: They had better find an interesting way of bringing Wayne back or I jump ship on this title.

Good news - Geoff Johns will be returning to the Flash title to hopefully resurrect it. My two favorite characters in the DC universe are the Green Lantern and Flash. If he can do as wonderful of a job on Flash as he has on GL/Booster Gold, I’ll be happy. So far Flash rebirth has had some interesting up’s and down’s. Johns has been reported as saying the new series will be like “superhero CSI”.

Verdict: Definitely worth a check. How much longer until Johns rules the world of DC?

I don’t follow Superman a whole lot, but if you are a fan DC is going to be launching an idea called the ‘War of the Supermen’.

Verdict: I’d be watchful and just make sure there’s some caliber of writing going on. I find Superman is a tough character for people to write in an interesting way — stories are often hit or miss. It’s best just to be careful.

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As promised… or forewarned?

Series: DC COMICS – Booster Gold, the greatest hero the world has never known!

Booster Gold is the hidden gem of all superhero comics – plain and simple. This one is probably one of the most daring projects I’ve read in awhile, and serves as a shining example of how a writer can take a stunningly boring character story, turn it upside down until it’s so epic you can no longer control your bladder – on top of that it was such a great read you weren’t even embarrassed!

This series came out of nowhere last year (also spun from the mind of Geoff Johns) and bathed in the ashes of everyone’s scattered preconceived notions of a character long since banished to the DCU hall of shame: Booster Gold. Thanks to Johns efforts an obscure nobody got a complete make-over and still looked good afterward, and by good I mean unbelievably pivotal to a universe housing such classics as Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Batman to name a few.

Though the series changed staff this year, the caliber of writing and themes did not suffer, despite expressed worries throughout the boards. Instead, Jurgens was able to pick up where Johns left off and add to it nicely, albeit on a much less epic scale. Jurgens still manages to find interesting niches within the world Johns created (seems to be Jurgens’ style). Either way the story remains intact, as well does the character; each comic is a solid installment worth buying.

Booster

More to come…

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For this article I’ve deeming myself the master of the universe (no sword or power cat required) in the realm of comics so that I can advise you, my misdirected reader, to the best of the best this past year had to offer in the way of serial comic fiction. You may be asking yourself “Serial comic fiction? Who the hell says that and what’s its meaning?” I say who better to answer than the Merc? And since you know neither my credentials, nor my IQ, or any of my secret agendas, all you can do is shake your head in agreement…

Serial comic fiction refers to comic books published ongoing in a weekly and/or monthly fashion.  I don’t care who you are, everyone must own up to having seen classic examples such as ‘The Amazing Spiderman: Issue (an uncountable number)’ on store stands before. With prices as high as they’ve become on comics, sadly it’s not as easy, or as fun, as it once was to go to the comic store. You have to be all serious and money crunching. Thus, it is my solemn duty to highlight what’s worth forking over your hard earned money for.

The Biggest of Big Events: DC COMICS -The Blackest Night

Let me start off by saying normally I hate these big universal events for the simple reason they drag on forever.  You see something that starts out as a good germ of an idea morphs/devolves painfully into a shallow image of its former glorified state, which you’re not likely to remember by the end of it.

Thankfully, and I can’t speak for all the tie-ins as I refuse to buy into the entire marketing campaign, I am pleased to announce the core story, “Blackest Night”, as well as select tie-in story lines (Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Booster Gold, Batman, Teen Titans)  are fantastic reads. Though every ‘big event’ is touted to be the second coming of Christ, we finally have an event that lives up to the hype surrounding it (still an active series).

No matter which side of the fence you are on in terms of the superhero genre, the story has something for superhero genre fans and deconstructionists alike (Watchmen, The Boys, Kick Ass fans I know you’re out there).  The art is fantastic; however,  the calibre/bar has been raised by the writer, Geoff Johns, whose wonderful writing not only proves, time and time again, that he knows his comic stuff, but also proves he’s just a good ol’ fashion storyteller – a rare commodity these days. I would break knee’s to ensure Johns’ good name never gets sullied… at least until he screws up and writes something horrible. Good Lord who art anywhere, please do not let that day come!

to be continued…

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